This month’s guest band featured the award winning big band from
Hartlepool led by MD Mick Donnelly.
Due to illness, nine of the musicians were
depping at short notice and Paul Skerritt's fine performance in the absence of
Jan Spencelayh was outstanding.
On a very cold winter’s night this gave the enthusiastic audience a night
of both beautiful and exciting music with excellent big band arrangements.
Starting the night in classic Basie style with Blues in Hoss’ Flat with
a fine tenor solo from Alan Marshall
showed how well the band played together.
Paul then showed his vocal skills with My Baby Just Cares For Me and
a nice alto solo from Dan Johnson.
Satin Doll with solos by Jeremy McMurray (piano), Bill Watson (trumpet) and Alan Marshall (tenor) was followed by another vocal The Best is Yet to Come. I've Heard That Song Before was played as a tribute to Gene Jarred. The classic Georgia on my Mind again sung by Paul and then a Sam Nestico arrangement of Lonely Street before Paul sang Ain't That a Kick in the Head?
The first set was brought to a close with a Jim Martin Latin arrangement of Silent
Night.
After starting the second set with the
lively When the Saints Go Marching In followed by Paul
singing For Once In My Life, Sammy Nestico's Traces was beautifully played by the whole
band including a nice tenor solo from Alan.
Kevin Eland gave a nice muted trumpet intro to
Count Basie's Jive At Five before Paul sang The
Tender Trap.
Lullaby of Broadway was followed with an excellent swinging
version by Paul of Bobby Darin's Clementine.
The big band arrangement of Deep Purple included a nice piano
solo from Jeremy and alto from Dan.
Winter Wonderland, again sung by Paul, had a nice baritone sax intro from Jill.
A rousing big band version of Sweet Georgia Brown brought the
night to a close.
This night was without doubt one of the
highlights of the year at Dorman’s led by raconteur Mick Donnelly giving the
audience a great night of music and entertainment provided by these top class
musicians also thanks to the sound man and of course to Dorman’s Club for their
support.
Kevin Eland Bill Watson (trumpets); Peter Morgan (trombone); Jeremy McMurray (piano);
Ian Bosworth (guitar); Alan Marshall, Dan Johnson, Jill Nelson (saxes); Garry
Hadfield (drums); Ernie Jackson (percussion); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Paul
Skerritt (vocals) and others to
whom I apologise for not knowing their names. Ron Hampton
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